The Contra's bar isn't totally compatible with Cabrinha's other kites. It needs the bigger 1XL for the safety system to work. The other kites, excluding the velocity, all use the 1X bar. So does the 15m Contra perform that well that it justifies spending $500 on it's very own bar, when you could go with a 14m Switchblade and use it's bar on almost every other Cabrinha kite? I currently have a 9 Switchblade and a 12 Vector. If I got a 17 Contra I think there would be a gap between that and the 12. It seems like just pairing a 14m kite with a directional makes the most sense. I think I just answered my own question.

I don't think this is true about the bar. I'm pretty sure all of the 2014 Cabrinha bars leash to a single front line. Last year's bar leashed to 2 front lines so you needed to get the special bar for the Velocity, but this year they are all single front line bars. The 1XL is just longer.

Yeah, Cabrinha says that you need the "longer" bar for the Contra and my understanding is that its because of the stopper ball placement so that the kite can flag properly... e.g. the 17 needs more space to slide than your 9 for example...

I guess three options:1. You could ride the Switchies with the longer bar since the "narrow setting" of the longer bar equals the "long setting" of the narrower bar2. You ride the Contra with the smaller Switchie bar... and run the risk it doesnt flag out completely3. I am fairly sure you could adjust the stopper ball on the Switchie bar so you can ride your Contra with it...

I would speak to a competent Cab shop to get a better idea whether 3 is feasible...

P.S.:My lightwind quiver is 12 Rebel and 17 Contra (still waiting to arrive)--> since the Rebel should be easily ridable starting at around 15 knots and I assume the 17 Contra can be flown without issues until upper teens or even 20, there should not be a gap... I am heavy though and I guessed if I spend money on lightwind, I can as well go for the big one

OceanAdventuures:RU sure about that? have you measured the flaging line on the 1x and the 1xl bars? R they the same?steve

In some thread on this forum there was a very detailed technical explanation on the compatibility of the two bars. I can't find it unfortunately, but basically it boiled down to what you just said. Since the Contra's are bigger kites, they require a longer flagging line, which the 1XL bar has.

The 1X bar on the large setting is the same length as the 1XL on its smaller setting.

You might not need that safety system every time, but I'd want to make sure it works when you need it.

Unfortunately I have not gotten to see the safety on the 1xl bar because they haven't arrived yet, hopefully will get one tomorrow, but it's just a single line flagging system. I've activated it on the 17m and it worked fine. Since it's been asked I'll look at it when we get the bar.

Ok, got my first look at the Contra 1XL bar today, and yes it actually does have a longer throw on the safety system. Now I have activated the safety system and it has worked just fine. The only possibility I can think of is if the wind gets strong enough there might be a little pull on the kite.

Ok, got my first look at the Contra 1XL bar today, and yes it actually does have a longer throw on the safety system. Now I have activated the safety system and it has worked just fine. The only possibility I can think of is if the wind gets strong enough there might be a little pull on the kite.

Hi do you mean that the 2 bars are not interchangable? Or you can use the 1X Bar on the Contra but the safety system works less effective?

Ok, got my first look at the Contra 1XL bar today, and yes it actually does have a longer throw on the safety system. Now I have activated the safety system and it has worked just fine. The only possibility I can think of is if the wind gets strong enough there might be a little pull on the kite.

Hi do you mean that the 2 bars are not interchangable? Or you can use the 1X Bar on the Contra but the safety system works less effective?

Thanks for your reply...

I would say you can use the regular 1x bar, I have not seen it but in heavy conditions the safety system may be less effective. Can't answer completely in the affermative, but I have used the 1x bar to test the contra and have used the safety and it has worked fine in regular and light conditions.

If the price of the bar is what is holding you back you could just buy a bar from another company with single front line leashing. There are some really good end of season deals for less than half the price of a new Cabrinha bar.

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